Validation of a Gravimetric Procedure for Recovery of Processing Materials from Porous Coated Metal Implants

Test coupons of ASTM F 75 cobalt chrome alloy with sintered bead coatings were contaminated with known amounts of a paraffin based buffing compound and heated to simulate buffing friction. The soils were then recovered by sonication for 1 to 6 h in hexane and analyzed using a gravimetric technique. Values were determined for the amounts recovered for both soluble and insoluble components of the buffing compounds and the percent recovery was calculated. For this system, the optimum time for sonication was determined to be 4 h, with recovery values greater than 80%. Analyses run on uncontaminated coupons yielded 0.06 mg of insoluble debris. Elemental analysis of that debris was consistent with erosion of the glassware during sonication.